Good news for Italian-food-loving insomniacs suffering from celiac disease (or, really, any Upper East Sider who finds himself waking up in the middle of the night feeling a little peckish). Opus, the pizzeria-gelateria-ristorante from Giuseppe Lentini (late of Tini's and before that Lentini), will serve its gluten-free pastas and pizzas until 5 a.m. seven days a week. Why, exactly, we’re not sure, but it may have something to do with the pizzaiolo's having to be there to make the dough anyway, so why not? To live up to its name, Opus will also cater to those unallergic to wheat or grains, as well as non-insomniacs, with a raw bar, a bar-food menu, signature cocktails, and a wide range of salads, appetizers, and entrées that run the gamut from roasted wild striped bass to a grilled veal chop. All this and dairy-free frozen desserts, too. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld
This is a wonderful undiscovered gem on the Upper East Side. The food is consistently delicious and the service excellent. I regularly go here with different friends and consistently people are impressed with how good the food is. This is across the board from the appetizers, to the pastas to traditional entrees. They have extremely fresh fish.
If you have need of gluten free food this is the best italian restaurant out there, however the fact that they offer gluten free food should not discourage anyone else. They are accomodating of special requests, and other dietary restrictions.
It's ambiance is great for an intimate dinner or a small group get together.
I'm a pharmaceutical sales rep and I took some customers to Opus, and was very embarrassed. This place was recommended by a colleague who eats gluten free foods due to an allergy. It works for her. It accommodates celiac disease, but that's it's best quality based upon my experience and the experience of my five guests. It's yet another AMERICAN Italian restaurant that you think you have to try, just in case it's not like the others. It's like the others. The pasta dishes were overcooked (American-style), the shellfish was not fresh and a sirloin steak was brought out very well done when "rare" was requested. One of my guests enjoyed her endive salad but that's about it. Service was intrusive to the extent that it was difficult to speak with my guests for more than two minutes without an interruption. It seems like a clean place but I don't recommend it if what you want is fine Italian food with great service.